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Al-Ahram Weekly 9 - 15 March 2000 Issue No. 472 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 9 - 15 March 2000 Issue No. 472
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Features Focus Books Travel Living Sports Profile People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Returning to the source
By Nevine El-Aref
The organising committee for the International Congress of Egyptologists (ICE) has selected a design for an award to be given at the event beginning 28 March, and is now finalising plans pertaining to communications and hosting delegates.At the event, which lasts through 2 April, eight medals will be awarded -- two posthumously -- to eminent Egyptologists in recognition of their contributions to the field.
Charged with the task of designing the medal is Mahmoud Mabrouk, a sculptor who has participated in major restoration projects including the work done on the Sphinx. Combining his artistry with knowledge of Pharaonic art, Mabrouk came up with a unique design based on a mirror from the 12th dynasty.
"Designing a medal of honour for people for whom every piece of art has a special significance is very difficult," said Mabrouk. This task, according to the sculptor, required incorporating elements into its design that would help imbue the object with a symbolic meaning relating to the recipients' field. "I decided that a Pharaonic mirror was one such object, and that it was an appropriate and attractive form for the medal." In ancient times, he said, this was the form taken by "a gift offered to kings and queens enabling them to see their life and spirit".
The ICE medal of honour will be 28 centimetres high (taking into account the length of the handle) and 13 centimetres wide across the mirror face. It will be made of ebony and silver and will be encrusted with semi-precious stones. The goddess of love and beauty, Hathour, will decorate the handle while the name of the recipient will be engraved on the award along with the date and the ICE logo.
Logistics for communications during the congress and hosting attendees are the focus of final preparations.
Abstracts of papers to be presented are being published in book form by the American University in Cairo Press and copies will be included in the conference kit. A stand of books on archaeology published by this press will be set up in the main conference hall. Documentary films are another medium through which information will be transmitted. Films to be screened during the conference will cover mummification, ancient Egyptian artefacts as well as Islamic monuments and modern Egypt.
